The book, Petrifactions and Their Teachings; or, A Hand-book to the Gallery of Organic Remains of The BritishMuseum, was written by Gideon Algernon Mantell, Esq., and published in London in 1851. This work serves a twofoldpurpose: acting as a Hand-book for general visitors and providing an Explanatory Catalogue for the scientific observer of the organic remains housed in the British Museum. The author dedicated this text to rendering technical language acceptable to the unscientific reader and connecting descriptions of important specimens with their geological history. The overall volume, like its predecessors, was composed during the author’s”brief and uncertain intervals of arduous professional duties”. The Gallery of Organic Remains extends nearly 400 feet and is arranged in a suite of six rooms.

The systematic description begins with the contents of Room I, which focuses on Fossil Vegetables, Minerals,Meteorites, and Trackways. Fossil plants, particularly those of the Carboniferous epoch, are comprehensively described, including the remains of trees like Sigillaria, Calamites, and Lepidodendron. The room contains a large mass of Meteoritic Iron (1,400 pounds from South America) and various specimens of native metals and mineral crystals. Notably, Room I displays slabs exhibiting remarkable fossil footprints (ichnolites) impressed upon Triassic sandstone, specifically the hand-like tracks of the quadruped Chirotherium from Liverpool, and the tridactyle footprints of birds (Ornithichnites) from Massachusetts.

Room II concentrates primarily on Fossil Mammalia, Starfishes, Crinoidea, and the Fossil Birds of New Zealand. Mammalian remains include the colossal Edentata like Megalonya and Mylodon. The most unique and important feature of this room is the collection of bones from the gigantic extinct birds of New Zealand, collectively known as theMoa or Dinornis. This includes bones suggesting birds stood up to eleven or twelve feet high, the skull of Dinornis, and remains of the newly discovered Notornis Mantelli (Southern Bird). Also featured are fossil Starfishes (Asteriadae) and Crinoids, such as the Pentacrinites spread upon Lias limestone.

Room III is chiefly appropriated to the Fossil Reptiles (cold-blooded vertebrata). This room contains specimens of ancient Turtles, Batrachians, Crocodilians, and colossal Saurians of the Oolite and Wealden formations. Key exhibits include the jaws and teeth of the enormous terrestrial reptile Iguanodon, the original discovered specimen ofHylaeosaurus, and portions of the Megalosaurus. The marine reptiles are represented by specimens like the long-necked Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus and a model of the renowned Fossil Reptile of Maestricht (Mosasaurus Hoffmanni).

According to the synopsis, Room IV contains Ichthyosauri (marine reptiles), Fossil Ruminants, Carnivora of the Caverns, Stonesfield Mammalia, and Fossil Shells.

Room V features an extensive collection of Fossil Fishes (Ganoid, Ctenoid, Cycloid, and Placoid Fishes) and prominently displays a fine skeleton of the extinct gigantic Irish Elk (Megaceros hibernicus).

Finally, Room VI is chiefly devoted to Fossil Mammalia. Highlights include the model skeleton of the colossal Sloth of South America, the Megatherium, the skeleton of the Mastodon of Ohio, and an unrivaled series of jaws and teeth from Mastodons and Elephants. This room also exhibits the celebrated Fossil Human Skeleton preserved in limestone from Guadeloupe.

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